This book includes a plain text version that is designed for high accessibility. To use this version please follow this link.
Connections
The newsletter for members and friends of the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce
March 2011
Vol. 74, No. 2


859 Massachusetts Avenue

Newsletter Submissions
Do you wonder where many of the topic-based articles that appear in Connections come from each month? They are culled from submissions made by CCC members just like you! We encourage you to submit an informative article on your area of expertise. For more information, contact Managing Editor Lisa S. Cohen at (617) 876-4132 or ­lcohen@cambridgechamber.org.

Thanks to Businesses & the DPW
Sincere thanks to the businesses of Cambridge who did their best to keep their sidewalks, entrances and parking clear of ice and snow. This winter has been brutal and we understand how frustrating it can be to keep clearing your public areas, especially when you don’t have any more room to pile it!
The CCC would also like to extend our thanks to the City's Department of Public Works. Given the amounts of snow and ice, manpower and machinery challenges, DPW did their best to keep our roads and public areas as safe as possible. We also thank DPW for attempting to stay ahead of the pothole situation, even though as soon as one gets filled another opens up!  


Photo caption: New members Roger Bell from Versatile Printing Services, Inc. and Sayid Gilani, Zubair Khan and Alicia MacDonalds from Z Square Tech with Hilary Neville from Jasper White’s Summer Shack at the Winter BAHsh at UpStairs on the Square. For more photos, see page six.


Nominations sought for Business Awards
Each year, the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce presents the Excellence in Business Awards in celebration of the achievements and community involvement of Cambridge businesses and organizations.

At a gala banquet, we recognize exemplary members in the categories of New Member of the Year, Small Business of the Year, the Leading Edge, Corporate Citizen of the Year, Nonprofit of the Year and the Carl F. Barron Business Person of the Year.

In three of our award categories, New Member of the Year, Small Business of the Year and Nonprofit of the Year, we keep the winners confidential until the awards are presented on the night of the event.

In the remaining three categories, Corporate Citizen of the Year, The Leading Edge and Carl F. Barron Business Person of the Year, the honorees are named prior to the event. A group of members is selected randomly to take part in the voting process. Subsequently, an Award Subcommittee assists with the process and selection of all winners based on the votes.

Be a part of this event-to-remember by nominating the Chamber members you feel make a difference in our community.

The criteria for each award follow. Please nominate only one company, organization or individual in each category. All CCC members, with the exception of members of the Chamber’s 2010 Board of Directors, are eligible to be nominated, as long as they meet the stated criteria. Self-nominations are acceptable and encouraged. Anonymous nominations will not be considered, as participants in the nomination process may be contacted for additional information on their nominees.

You can find the nomination form at www.cambridgechamber.org/chamber/news_awardnom.html. The deadline for nominations is Friday, March 25, 2011. Call the CCC at (617) 876-4100 with any questions.

New Member of the Year
• Recognizing a business or individual new to the CCC who demonstrates outstanding commitment to the Chamber.
• Actively participates in and promotes the Chamber
• Joined the Chamber between July 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010.

Small Business of the Year
• Recognizing a small business in the Cambridge area that demonstrates excellence, professionalism, leadership and originality in its industry.
• Tangible record of positive impact on the community.
• Fewer than fifty employees and at least one year as a Chamber member.

Nonprofit of the Year
• Recognizing a Cambridge-area nonprofit organization (501c3) that demonstrates superior performance, quality and consistency in the pursuit of its mission.
• Evokes community spirit and participation.
• At least one year as a Chamber member.

The Leading Edge
• Recognizing a business that demonstrates leadership and innovation in the technology or biotechnology industries.
• Dedication to product/process development to enhance and enrich people’s lives.
• At least one year as a CCC member.

Corporate Citizen of the Year
• Recognizing a business that demonstrates significant contributions, involvement, and distinguished community service in the Cambridge area.
• Develops community partnerships, supports philanthropic activities and encourages volunteerism.
• At least one year as a CCC member.

Carl F. Barron Business Person of the Year
• Recognizing an individual who demonstrates professional excellence and outstanding leadership in the Cambridge community.
• Supports and motivates colleagues and employees through enthusiasm, vision and integrity.
• At least three years in business and one year as a Chamber member.

Keep your eye on the Chamber Message Service where we will announce the event details and plan to join us in celebrating all of the finalists and the excellence, achievements and community involvement of the entire Cambridge-area business community.

Thank you to lead sponsor Novartis and supporting sponsors Amgen and Cambridge Trust Company. 

Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12